Keynotes and Public Speaking
I am a frequent speaker on the topics of DeFi, Fintech, and the particular technology themes impacting financial services players. For examples, please see the research described here. Below, you can also see a selection of shorter videos and longer podcasts providing a flavor of my work. A longer list of recent conferences is also provided.
If you are interested in having me speak at your event, to the Board, Executive or Strategy team of your company, or at an academic institution, reach out here.
Rise of the Machine Economy, Consensus 2024
Lex presents the thesis of Generative Ventures.
Does AI Need Blockchain? | Proof of Talk 2024
Dominic Williams (Founder & Chief Scientist, DFINITY Foundation), Philippe Battel (VP AI EMEA, Oracle), Christopher Donovan (COO, NEAR Foundation), and Lex Sokolin (Managing Partner, Generative Ventures) debated the necessity of blockchain for artificial intelligence (AI). Moderated by Mike Grantis (Managing Partner, Contango Digital Assets), the discussion explored the intersections between AI and blockchain technology, evaluating the potential benefits and challenges.
This Session Was NOT Written by ChatGPT | FMLS:23
Generative AI is still all the rage, with an astonishing pace of change and far-reaching implications in financial services. Join forward-thinking executives at the FMLS:23 who deal with LLMs directly to cut through the hype and get a sense of how it can, and cannot, help firms in individuals in the financial space.
Proof Of Talk 2023
Proof of Talk, Web3's most exclusive content-driven summit. This incredible event took place on June 14th '23 on the main stage at the grand Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Louvre Palace, Paris.
Bloomberg 2022 on FTX
Bloomberg Surveillance: Early Edition, live from London and New York. Francine Lacqua, Anna Edwards, Matt Miller, and Kailey Leinz deliver the latest news and analysis on the markets with leaders in global finance and economics.
The Web3 Economy and DAOs: Making it Work
Discussion of economic growth and crypto-based financial services.
EBC22 | The Metaverse: A $1 Trillion Revenue Opportunity
The Metaverse is expected to grow immensely in the upcoming years. Is the Metaverse a 1 trillion opportunity?
CNBC Crypto World, 2022
CNBC Crypto World features the latest news and daily trading updates from the digital currency markets and provides viewers with a look at what’s ahead with high-profile interviews, explainers, and unique stories from the ever-changing crypto industry. On today’s show, Lex Sokolin of ConsenSys discusses the Solana wallet hack, Robinhood job cuts, and what to expect from crypto businesses when the bear market ends.
Bank of International Settlements. The road ahead: challenges and opportunities for DeFi and CBDCs, 2022
DeFi and CBDCs seem worlds apart. But with the DeFi ecosystem maturing, the space of common interest could increase. What would the DeFi environment look like if it were to adopt CBDCs as a main settlement instrument? What are the considerations for central banks in allowing or not CBDCs to be used in this way? What other challenges would this ecosystem pose for central banks?
CoinDesk - The Future of Ether as London Hard Fork Nears, 2021
Lex Sokolin, Global Fintech Co-Head of leading Ethereum software company ConsenSys, explains the details and implications of the supposedly bullish London hard fork on the Ethereum blockchain, an upgrade scheduled to activate Thursday that aims to curb ether's supply growth over time and burn a portion of fees paid to miners. Plus, his outlook on how the upgrade could affect Consensys' business operations and whether ether could be considered a security.
The future of finance digital assets and DeFi | CryptoCompare Digital Asset Summit, London 2020
ConsenSys Global Fintech Co-Head, Lex Sokolin, goes into the macro-financial and technological trends contributing to the exponential growth in decentralized finance. The DeFi industry has been progressing in a number of areas - including payments, banking, lending, investing, and insurance - and have dealt with security breaches as well.
During the CryptoCompare Digital Asset Summit in London, Sokolin went into the thousands of decentralized autonomous financial manufacturers that could emerge in the future, and how the landscape could look like.
Ethereal Summit, 2019
Announcing ConsenSys Codefi at Ethereal Tel Aviv, and discussing the trends that are contributing to the exponential growth in decentralized finance.
Decentralized Finance Summit London, 2019
The macroeconomic and financial trends that have led to the growth of Fintech and resulted in software DAOs building financial products
Money20/20 Europe, 2017
How Incumbents, Startups and Big Tech companies shape the future of financial services.
AFME's Global Innovation Institute Conference, 2018
Why now is a defining moment for technological innovation in financial services.
Business Insider, 2017
Introductory clip on digital assets and why they are compelling.
Fintech Circle Institute, 2017
Overarching framework for Fintech evolution and description of my class materials.
VivaTech: A User Manual for Crypto & ICO, 2018
Panel at a large tech event with Tim Draper and Pascal Gauthier
CNBC, 2018
Investors are going to buy bitcoin whether advisors like it or not!
Tech+Blockchain Economy, 2017
The Internet of Value and Money - A Status Report
Asset TV, 2015
Exploration of how the financial advisor fiduciary rule from the Department of Labor and digital wealth technology intersect
Select Podcasts and Interviews
Selected Industry Conferences
The period 2019+ is not updated here.
2019
London Business School Fintech Class, Speaker
Overview of fintech trends, from AI to mixed reality
Eversheds Sutherland Client Conference, Speaker
Institutional investor update on crypto asset class and infrastructure
American Banker Webcast, Speaker
The future of open banking in the U.S.
Advisor Blockchain and Crypto Council, Speaker
Wealth management conference on digital assets
Nesta - the Innovation Foundation, Panel
Identifying research paths for European innovation
Financial Conduct Authority, Industry Panel
Meeting with active firms to help guide crypto regulation
Cass Business School Fintech Class, Speaker
Lecture on impact of artificial intelligence on finance
Columbia Business School Fintech Class, Speaker
Lecture on fintech trends across digitization, AI, neobanks
Security Tokens Realized, Panel
Discussion of real estate and asset-backed token trends
2018
Fintech Connect, Panel Moderator
Focus on artificial intelligence and regulatory technology
Digital Lending Webcast by Mitek, Speaker
Turning ID Verification into a Competitive Advantage
Consensus Invest, Panel Moderator
Led discussion on custody, exchange and fund development
Lendit London, Panel
Debate on regulation of digital assets and crypto currencies
Imperial College, Speaker
Overview of the crypto ecosystem
Digital Asset Strategies, Speaker and Moderator
Several talks on AI, digital assets, and wealth management
American Express CFO Offsite, Speaker
Discussion of core fintech themes and impact on incumbents
Crypto Challenge Forum, Speaker
Update on crypto funding trends and investor landscape
Fintech Talents, Panel
Discussion of entrepreneurship and building a diverse team
Autonomous Research Artificial Intelligence Conference, Moderator
Deep dive on the impact of AI in finance for equity investors
BNY Mellon Sovereign Wealth Fund Conference, Speaker
Discussion of digital wealth, custody and investment management
Global Innovation Forum, Speaker
Keynote on top trends in fintech, focused on capital markets
Pillar Conference, Speaker
Discussion of impact of artificial intelligence on finance
Blockchain Alternative Investment Conference, Speaker
Institutional investor view on the crypto asset class
Vivatech, Panel
Debate with Tim Draper and President of Ledger on crypto assets
BNY Mellon Depository / Trust Client Conference, Speaker
Discussion of digital wealth, custody and investment management
Medici, Speaker
Institutional investor view on the crypto asset class
London Business School, Speaker
Overview of key trends in financial services
The Futurist at RISE, Speaker
Overview of key trends in financial services
Finovate London, Speaker
Discussion of crypto ecosystem development
Autonomous Research Cryptocurrency Conference, Moderator
Institutional investor view on the crypto asset class
Association for Financial Markets in Europe, Speaker
Keynote introduction to innovation themes
Columbia Business School, Speaker
Evolution of fintech through digital wealth, AI and crypto
Future of Finance (Maersk), Panel
The role of blockchain in the CFO organization
Enterprise Ethereum Alliance, Speaker
Update on crypto funding trends
Finovate Middle East, Panel Moderator
Banking digitization and regulation
TD Ameritrade National LINC, Panel
Discussion with CEO of Nasdaq and Ric Edelman
2017
City University in London, Panel
Fintech as a disruptive force
London School of Economics, Panel
Discussion of Fintech evolution at large banks
Schwab Impact, Speaker
Two sessions: one on futurism and one on social selling
Lendit Europe, Speaker
Analysis of financial incumbents related to innovation
Smileexpo focused on Initial Coin Offerings, Speaker
Discussion of crypto fundraising trends
Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, Panel
Discussion of crypto fundraising trends
BNY Mellon Consultant Conference, Speaker
Digital wealth, artificial intelligence and blockchain
Seedcamp, Speaker
Discussion of crypto fundraising trends
Autonomous Research Automation to the Core, Speaker
Overview of fintech frameworks
Enterprise Ethereum Alliance, Speaker
Discussion of crypto fundraising trends
Money 2020 Europe, Speaker
Open banking and financial APIs
Autonomous Research Future of Commerce, Panel Moderator
Discussion of payments technology progress
Toigo Foundation, Speaker
Overview of Fintech ecosystem
Lendit Fintech USA, Panel Moderator
Democratization of Asset Management and Crowdfunding
Review of Banking and Financial Law Symposium, Panel
Discussion of digitization of advice and regulation around it
Enterprise Ethereum Launch, Panel Moderator
Discussion of enterprise blockchain progress
Investopedia Webcast, Speaker
Evolution of digital wealth management industry
Columbia Business School, Speaker
Overview of Fintech evolution
Davis Polk Webcast, Speaker
Discussion of the impact of the OCC Fintech charter
2016
Techonomy, Panel Moderator
Central banks and crypto currencies
Ernst & Young Executive Luncheon, Speaker
Impact of Fintech on investment management
Continuing Legal Education, Speaker
CLE credits for lawyers focused on fintech and roboadvice
General Assembly, Panel
Fail Forward - How entrepreneurs should learn from failure
In|Vest Conference, Speaker
Next Generation Technology that will Completely Change Wealth Management
In|Vest Conference, Panel
Innovation and Design Centric Thinking
TD Ameritrade Institutional Conference, Speaker
Innovation and the Future of Wealth Management
2015
T3 Enterprise Edition, Speaker
Post-Robo Technology that Will Fuel Hypergrowth
T3 Advisor Conference, Speaker
Robo or Classic, or Both
Financial Planning Association Conference, Panel Debate
RoboAdvisors: What You Need To Know -- Point/Counterpoint
FPA Major Firms Symposium, Panel
Roboadvisor implementation for existing financial planning practices
FolioDynamix Conference, Speaker
Hypergrowth, or "How to Robo"